Promotion and fortune in Song Dynasty

Zhang Kangsu was good at observing words and expressions, so he could see that Wen Buqi didn't believe a single word of what he said to him.

He was not discouraged, but after saying a few more words, he retreated first with excuses and came back tomorrow.

In the next few days, he calmly accepted the hospitality of the Tubo post, eating delicious food, and went into the palace from time to time to chat with the Tubo prime minister, who was in full control of the power.

It's a pity that his efforts full of sincerity still had little effect, and Wen Buqi's patience was gradually exhausted.

Fortunately, before the prime minister's patience ran out, Zhang Kang was keenly aware of what had happened, and in time took the big and small bags as a return gift, and left in a graceful manner.

On the way home, Zhang Kang didn't make a big fuss, but he didn't keep a low profile, and rushed back without haste.

His every move was naturally noticed by Wen Buqi, who had sent someone to follow him secretly.

"Song people are very cunning." Wen Buqi couldn't help feeling amused, and said to his trusted officials: "He didn't want to make this trip so hard, but came back with nothing at my place, so he deliberately made the itinerary as long as possible. Let me tell you so that Li Yuanhao will be afraid when he finds out, and he can explain something."

The officials laughed and said, "What's the use of talking for so many days? With Zaifu's wisdom, how can he be fooled by the people of Song Dynasty like Yuan Hao's son did in the past."

Wen Buqi snorted with difficulty concealing his complacency: "It's also thanks to Li Lizun's stumble."

Song Tingyi was relegated from Beijing and was like a fourth-rank official exiled to Qinzhou. Judging from his age, he was just a fledgling boy, but he was able to beat Li Lizun's [-] elite soldiers to ashes.

With this lesson learned from the past, how could he take these Song people with all kinds of twists and turns lightly?

No matter how dry the mouth of the envoy of the Song Dynasty is, and his mouth is broken, he will not be caught in a trick if he is as immovable as a mountain and has his own opinions.

Although Tubo and Dangxiang had long-standing grievances, before the Great Song Dynasty, which was rich and prosperous, but lacked strong soldiers and guards, this grievance became insignificant.

If Li Yuanhao really didn't know the heights of the sky and the earth, and dared to cross the Hexi Corridor and covet Qingtang, he would let the other party see why there is no return.

The officials said again: "However, according to my opinion, although what the Song envoy said cannot be fully believed, it cannot be completely disbelieved."

"That's natural." Wen Buqi said casually: "I have never underestimated Yuan Hao'er, but he still has a backer for his own plans."

He seldom goes out of the palace, but it doesn't mean he doesn't care much about outsiders: Li Yuanhao secretly sent envoys to Khitan to marry the princess while marching west. He knew very well.

Even though Song and Liao had made a covenant not to offend each other for a hundred years, if Li Yuanhao could really stir up a big storm, how could the Liao Kingdom stand by and not add insult to injury and ask for a share of the pie?

Wen Buqi still took his time: "When the Liao Kingdom really sends the princess to marry Yuan Hao's son, it won't be too late for me to unite with Song Dynasty."

This coincides with the opinions of the officials.

What they didn't expect was that the purpose of Zhang Kang's trip was never to persuade Wen Buqi to take the initiative to send troops to attack the party, but to attract the attention of the Tubo people so as to cover the secrets of other important figures. action.

He walked slowly all the way, not as Wen Buqi thought, but to let Yuan Hao know, but patiently waiting for the news.

Just when he was two days away from the state city of Qinzhou, good news finally came - the Guo family found out that the place where Wen Buqi imprisoned Zanpu Sisi was located under the bedroom where he lived every day. , in that cold underground water prison.

The handwriting on the note that Guo passed out in a hurry was very scribbled, but it was enough for Zhang Kang to recognize it.

Guo also expressed his worries clearly: Zanpu has been imprisoned for nearly half a month. In the water prison as a punishment, even a healthy young man can hardly last more than a month, let alone a person who is always in good health. Weak fellow?

If it is not rescued as soon as possible, there is no need for Wen Buqi to make another move, and this puppet Zanpu will die quietly in prison.

Zhang Kang knew that the situation was serious.

It is not too late, we need to quickly send other agents to verify the place, and immediately make a rescue plan.

However, in order not to arouse the suspicion of the Tubo soldiers who were secretly watching, Zhang Kang did not deliberately speed up his pace, but suppressed his inner anxiety and eagerness, and slowly returned to Qinzhou City after two days.

As soon as he entered the city gate, Zhang Kang, who had a relaxed and smug face just a moment ago, instantly changed his face to Zhang Lengsu, and rushed straight to the government office where Lu Ci was located.

Under the gaze of the astonished official, Zhang Kang, who was heavily tanned, almost rushed into the inner hall where Lu Jiedu was, and immediately said: "Can Lu Jiedu speak further? The official has something important to report!"

Seeing the dusty Zhang Kang, Teng Zongliang, who was dealing with him in the inner hall, immediately reacted, exchanged a glance with Lu Ci, and went out tacitly.

Lu Ci looked at Zhang Kang, who was still out of breath, and said innocently, "Even if it's an urgent matter, it won't be too late if I ask you to sit down, have a cup of tea, and then talk about it?"

After being told by Lu Ci, Zhang Kang, who hadn't felt anything wrong before, finally noticed his miserable appearance.

He grinned, sat down, and drank the cold soup that Lu Ci poured for him, and suddenly felt that his smoldering throat was much more comfortable: "Based on the good news brought this time, I can accept it calmly." Save this cup of tea."

"Oh?" Lu Ci smiled, and naturally filled him up again, teasing: "I don't know how big the good news is, but can I stand this second cup?"

Zhang Kang said confidently: "More than enough!"

After downing the second cup of cold soup, he completely relaxed, and reported Guo's report, Wen Buqi's attitude, and the Tubo officials he had dealt with... in detail.

After hearing this, Lu Ci frowned slightly: "Under his bedroom?"

This location was arranged so well, I really don't know whether to say Wen Buqi is bold or timid.

If he is brave, he puts Zanpu under his eyes and never leaves him every day; if he is timid, but he is not afraid of leaking the news someday, as the master of the bedroom, he is determined to be inseparable.

Lu Ci said without hesitation: "No matter what, the top priority is to send someone to verify Zanpu's location before making a decision."

Zhang Kang nodded, but couldn't help worrying: "The water prison is bitter, I'm afraid that noble people like Zanpu won't be able to last long."

"Gongshou was joking," Lu Ci was amused by him, and said with a light smile, "How can you be such a noble person if you can live to this day?"

That is a ruthless person who will never give up even the weakest glimmer of hope even if he has only one breath left, and will struggle to tear apart a way out.

"Regardless of whether Zanpu can hold on or not, you must not act rashly until you are absolutely sure." Lu Ci was surprisingly calm: "How can this kind of thing be rushed? Once it fails, do you know the consequences?"

Not only will the espionage work he has worked so hard to insert into Tubo in the past few years face disaster, but Zongsiluo will also die, and he will also end up in the hands of Tubo, who will take the opportunity to attack the Song Dynasty.

Moreover, if it is not yet the critical moment of life and death, Zong Siluo, who has endured humiliation and has been dormant for many years, will never show his trump card.

Relying on their meager manpower alone, trying to get people from the dragon's pool and tiger's lair is just a dream.

However, if there are nails inserted by Gu Siluo as the internal support, and the internal and external joints are combined, it should be able to catch Wen Buqi by surprise.

Zhang Kang took a deep breath, and then calmed down: "What Jiedu said is very true."

Lu Ci nodded lightly: "It's not too late, let's go."

Hearing that Lu Ci meant to hand over all follow-up matters to him, Zhang Kang's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Yes!"

When Zhang Kang hurriedly rushed out of the room, Teng Zongliang came in dumbfounded.

"Isn't he made of iron? How can he be so energetic after traveling for so many days?"

He was amazed.

Lu Ci smiled and said, "Brother Teng wants to know?"

Teng Zongliang was really curious: "Of course."

Lu Ci's brows and eyes curved into a gentle arc, and his mouth said as a matter of course: "That would be great. Brother Teng wants to know the mystery, so he should experience it for himself. Next time I go to Tibet as an envoy, I will send you—" —”

Teng Zongliang, who has gained experience from suffering and always kept vigilant, twitched his lips in disgust, and quickly stopped the conversation: "Thank you for your kindness, but a gentleman does not take what others like. We should leave such good things to the right people!"

Zhang Gongshou, who was made to run here and there by the cunning little glutton without touching the ground, and whose dress and appearance became more and more unsatisfactory, is qualified for this job.

The corners of Lu Ci's lips twitched slightly: "That's a pity."

Because he still had important matters to attend to, he did not continue to quarrel with Teng Zongliang, but after returning to the topic and explaining a few words to his friends, he put on his coat and was about to leave the hall.

Seeing that he was afraid of the cold because he was fully armed and willing to go out, Teng Zongliang twitched the corner of his mouth, and kindly persuaded him, "Don't you see Gongshou's sweat? I just came in from the outside not long ago. Wear it so thick."

Hearing this, Lu Ci gave Teng Zongliang a vague look.

Seeing Teng Zongliang suddenly had a bad feeling, he couldn't help asking: "Why?"

Lu Ci didn't answer him, but slowly took off the coat he had just put on, and muttered to himself: "It's not that I suspect Brother Teng's words are not true, it's just that Brother Teng's skin has always been thick enough to withstand the cold weather in spring." , so it is not necessarily accurate to say that it is hot..."

Teng Zongliang: "..."

He swore that one day he would avenge his hatred and make a small gluttonous meal.

Take the most poisonous mouth in front of you.

Although he made fun of Teng Zongliang, Lu Ci followed the other party's advice and went out in light clothes.

Because of the fear of the cold, every winter, Lu Jiedu wraps himself up so tightly that he can't see his face clearly.

Today, when I saw him wearing only a light spring robe and leading a few officials out with a smile, the passers-by around me were quite surprised and looked sideways.

But from the moment Lu Ci stepped out of the gate of the government office, the only person who could spot Lu Ci keenly and keep his eyes on him covertly was Di Qing who was patrolling the city wall not far away.

Di Qing wears a heavy bronze mask, is tall and has long legs, and exudes a cold and alienated air that strangers should not enter.

But no one knew that behind that bulky mask, he only needed to turn his head slightly, and he could easily inhale today's Gongzu.

He unconsciously frowned slightly.

……So lovely.